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Showalter weighing bevy of options for rotation

4/12/13: Miguel Gonzalez gets Robinson Cano to ground into a double play in the bottom of the first inning to escape an early jam

By Brittany Ghiroli
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MLB.com |

SEATTLE -- With Tuesday's demotion of starter Zach Britton, the Orioles will need a starter for Friday or Saturday, likely coming from the Minors, with the exact day depending on whether they push back Miguel Gonzalez.

"We are going to wait and see how his workday goes," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said of Gonzalez, who will be given extra rest periodically this season. "If you are going to start anybody other than Zach [Clark] in that spot, you can start Zach any day, or you can take advantage and move somebody around."

Clark, who took the place of Britton on the active roster, is an option depending on how he is used. The 29-year-old was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to join the bullpen Tuesday and Norfolk's other starters, including Freddy Garcia, Jair Jurrjens and Jake Arrieta, also could be in the mix. Garcia -- who was named the International League Pitcher of the Week for a pair of starts last week -- is a strong candidate and agreed Monday to have his opt-out extended to May 14.

Right-hander Steve Johnson, who was activated from the disabled list, is not a candidate because he was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk and will have to stay down in the Minors for a 10-day minimum unless it's an injury scenario. Johnson, who is coming off of a right lat injury, pitched OK for Norfolk in a rehab game Monday and according to Showalter "each one has gotten a little better."

As for the possibility that the team has a current reliever such as T.J. McFarland, Tommy Hunter or Brian Matusz, make a start, Showalter said: "Don't hold me to anything yet. We'll see. They are all in play. We will see. See what transpires."